Heater coil support for electric clothes dryers

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a heater support structure for a clothes dryer. The support structure is characterized by the utilization of lanced-out tabs, in the heater reflector pan, as an integral part of support structure for insulators which support the heater coil.

I United States Patent 1111 [72] inventor Clyde C. Fox [56] References Cited Mansfield- Ohio UNITED STATES PATENTS [211 P 823569 1.647.346 11/1921 Ehrgott 219/536X 1221 Med May 2.35 1,466 6/1944 Weida 219/5424 1451 m Feb-$1371 3.348.026 10/1967 Bassett. Jr 219/467 [73] Ass1gnee Westinghouse Electric Corporation 358 074 17/1967 Himes 7195px Pittsburgh. Pa. a a corporation of Pennsylvania FOREIGN PATENTS 266,246 2/1968 Austria 219/243 Primary Examiner-l V. Truhe [54] ggigg FOR ELECTRIC Assistant ExaminerL. H. Bender Attorneys-F. H. Henson, E. C. Arenz and B. B. Sklar 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs. V [52] US. Cl 219/357, 219/542 [51] Int. Cl H05b 1/00, ABSTRACT: The invention provides a heater support struc- HOSb 3/06 ture for a clothes dryer. The support structure is characterized [50] Field olSearch 219/542, by the utilization of lanced-out tabs, in the heater reflector pan. as an integral part of support structure for insulators which support the heater coil.

PATENTEU FEB 2 l9?! INVENTOR Clyde C. Fox

HEATER COIL SUPPORT FOR ELECTRIC CLOTHES DRYERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates, in general, to heater support sr structure end, in and, more particularly, to support structures for coiled heater elements which are supported adjacent a reflector element.

Prior art constructions ,for holding heater coils away from a reflector panel have utilized wire forms, spring clips, screws,

welded brackets and other relatively expensive assemblies to support insulators which in turn support the heater. The tolerances required for the foregoing methods, especially the use of wire forms, are difficult to maintain in order to effect proper assembly. Furthermore, the breakage of an individual insulator of prior art constructions in many instances necessitates the complete discarding of the whole assembly, therefore, adding extra cost during manufacture or field repairs.

Accordingly, the general object o f of this invention is tor provide a new and improved support structure for heaters mounted adjacent a reflector pan.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a new and improved heater support structure wherein a stamped-out tab of the reflector structure with which the heater is associated, constitutes an integral part thereof.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the above cited objects are accomplished by the provision of a reflector structure having lanced areas forming tabs which can be bent out of the plane of the pan to a position substantially perpendicular to such plane. A resilient clip attachable to the tab serves to support a ceramic insulator bushing which in turn supports the heater structure.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when considered in view of the drawings and detailed description forming a part hereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top plan view of a reflector pan for a clothes dryer and a heater structure supported thereon;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line Il-Il of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Ill-III of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, especially FIG. 1, reference character 10 designates generally a combination heater reflector and heater assembly comprising a reflector pan l1 and a coiled heater structure 12. The pan II has an opening 9 disposed centrally thereof for mounting of the assembly in a conventional clothes dryer such that is it is disposed at the rear thereof and in a positioh to have fan forced air moving across the heater structure to be warmed thereby.

The pan 1] is provided with aplurality of lanced areas I3 (see FIG. 1 and 3) providing tabs 14 which are each bent at an angle of approximately with respect to the base portion 16 of the reflector pan. Each tab is provided with an aperture I7 for receiving the tongue 18 of a resilient clip structure I9.

The clip structure 19 has a generally U-shaped configura tion, the bight portion 21 of which is showed as indicated at 22. The clip structure further comprises a fingerlike portion 23 the free end of which engages the side of the tab 14 opposite the side adjacent the bight portion, or in other words the same side as that engaged by the tongue 18 (as shown in FIG. 2). When installed, the clip structures 19 serve to attach ceramic insulators 24 to the tabs I7. Each insulator has a pair of apertures 26 through which and wherein the heater structure 12 is passed an and supported, the terminal portions of the heater being connected to a terminal structure 27 secured to a flan e 28 of the reflector pan 11. Also attached to the flange 2 IS a control elemen 29 forming no part of the present invention.

It should now be apparent that there has been shown and described a heater support or mounting structure which solves e the problems hereinabove mentioned.

Iclaim:

1. Heater support structure comprising a reflector pan, a tab formed integrally with the reflector pan, an insulator adapted to support a portion of at least one heater structure, means cooperating with said tab for supporting said insulator at a distance from said reflector pan, and said means cooperating with said tab comprising a generally U-shaped clip which engages said tab at only two points.

2. Structure as specified in claim 1 wherein the bight portion of said generally U-shaped clip has a concave configuration which contacts said insulator and serve to firmly hold the insulator against the tab.

3. Structure as specified in claim 2 wherein said tab comprises an aperture therein and said generally U-sa U-shaped clip has a tongue portion received in said aperture, said generally U-shaped clip further having fingerlike portion engaging said tab at the same side thereof as said tongue portion.

4. Structure as specified in claim 3 wherein said tab is formed by a lanced-out part of aid reflector pan, which lanced-out part is bent to form an angle of approximately 90 with the rest of the reflector pan.

5 The structure defined in claim I wherein said Usahped clip engagement with said tab at two points is provided by terminating portions of said U-shaped clip. 

1. Heater support structure comprising a reflector pan, a tab formed integrally with the reflector pan, an insulator adapted to support a portion of at least one heater structure, means cooperating with said tab for supporting said insulator at a distance from said reflector pan, and said means cooperating with said tab comprising a generally U-shaped clip which engages said tab at only two points.
 2. Structure as specified in claim 1 wherein the bight portion of said generally U-shaped clip has a concave configuration which contacts said insulator and serve to firmly hold the insulator against the tab.
 3. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said U-sahped clip engagement with said tab at two points is provided by terminating portions of said U-shaped clip.
 3. Structure as specified in claim 2 wherein said tab comprises an aperture therein and said generally U-sa U-shaped clip has a tongue portion received in said aperture, said generally U-shaped clip further having fingerlike portion engaging said tab at the same side thereof as said tongue portion.
 4. Structure as specified in claim 3 wherein said tab is formed by a lanced-out part of aid reflector pan, which lanced-out part is bent to form an angle of approximately 90* with the rest of the reflector pan. 